Sandman Hotel Group, The Kamloops Blazers Hockey Club, and the City of Kamloops have announced a 10-year naming-rights partnership rebranding the downtown arena as The Sandman Centre.

The Sandman Centre will host all Kamloops Blazers games and many other major events including concerts, the Subway Super Series, Hockey Day in Canada, and the 2016 Women’s World Hockey Championships.

“We are elated to enter into a partnership with Sandman Hotel Group. Their presence throughout Canada is well-recognized,” commented Director of Sales and Marketing, Dave Chyzowski. “Sandman Hotel Group is already one of the Western Hockey League’s premiere sponsors. We are very excited for this new long-term partnership.”

The Sandman Centre officially opened its doors in the fall of 1992 as the Riverside Coliseum, previously known as Sport Mart Place and over the last 10 years as the Interior Savings Centre.

“We’re extremely excited to be part of the city’s arena. This is an incredible sports, cultural, and entertainment venue offering fantastic games, events and concerts to the City of Kamloops and the surrounding communities,” said Taj Kassam, President and COO of Sandman Hotel Group. “Sandman has been a proud citizen of the City of Kamloops for the past five decades, and this partnership allows us to show and share some of this pride.”

As long-time corporate residents, Sandman opened its first Kamloops’ hotel in 1968 and its second in 2014. Together with the Kamloops Blazers and the City of Kamloops, Sandman Hotel Group looks forward to the first home game of the season on Saturday, September 26th against the Kelowna Rockets.

“We’re proud to continue our long-standing relationship with the Blazers and look forward to this collaboration with Sandman over the next 10 years,” commented Kamloops Mayor Peter Milobar. “This partnership brings with it the promise of many exciting entertainment opportunities to be hosted at the new Sandman Centre.”